Music Blog

Jam for Joplin Concert to Benefit Tornado Survivors is Tonight

In the two-and-a-half weeks since a massive tornado leveled the town of Joplin, Missouri and left over 140 people dead and scores more injured and homeless, the enormity of the event is still staggering. People across the state and beyond have banded together to help survivors with food, clothing and other amenities, but state officials recognize that the road to recovery will be a long one.

A group of local musicians have been quick to step up and organize a benefit concert for the survivors of the Joplin tornado. The Jam for Joplin concert will take place tonight at two neighboring venues: the Way Out Club (2525 South Jefferson Avenue) and the newly opened Warehouse (2501 South Jefferson). The Trip Daddys, New World Sprits, Roundheels, and Columbia's the Paperclips will perform, among others. The benefit also serves as the final show for moody local rockers Chapters.

Eric Moore, the drummer for Roundheels, helped organize the event. Via email, he shared his motivation for putting together this event so quickly after the tornado. "The idea came to me a couple of days after the tornado hit and I saw some first-person cell phone video footage," writes Moore. "Seeing the extent of the damage inspired me to take action. I contacted Andrew Schmidt from the Warehouse and we started putting it together right away." Moore also noted that all proceeds from the concerts will benefit the American Red Cross.

A $10 wristband lets you hop between venues all night long; that's a small price to pay for eight bands, and organizers will be accepting further donations throughout the night. The line-ups for both venues are below: